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Columbus' Firearm Homicide Rate Increases

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control shows the rate of firearm homicides dropped in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and other major metropolitan areas from 2006 to 2010. But the rate increased in Columbus. Doctor Jim Murray at the CDC says it's not yet clear why Columbus' rate increased, but the rate in cities is higher than for the overall U.S.

Mercy says the study also shows more people used guns to commit suicide . He blames the great recession for the increase. And Mercy says older, white Americans are most likely to use a gun to commit suicide. And he says the increase in firearm suicides coincided with the recession.

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Mercy says the study shows Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati saw their rates of firearm suicides increase between 2006 and 2010.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.